Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

CS969

Incident date

June 12, 2017

Location

قصر البنات, Ar Raqqah: Qasr Al Banat (palace), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.94803, 39.02605 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An entire family of six civilians – including three women and two girls – was killed in alleged Coalition air or artillery strikes or possible SDF mortar fire in the Qasir al Banat area in the south-east of Raqqa city, local sources reported.

Five sources alleged that the Coalition was directly responsible, whereas two sources blamed the US-backed YPG militia for the deaths.

In their monthly civilian casualty reports, the US-led Coalition has indicated that the credibility of this civilian harm allegation is in the process of being assessed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Manal Abu al-Bawakir
Adult female killed
Fatima al Khalif
Age unknown female Daughter of Manal Abu al Mawakir killed
Marwa Ismail al Khalif
Age unknown female Daughter of Manal Abu al Mawakir killed

The victims were named as:

Ismail Khalif
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ismail Khalif, "Al-Raqqa's champion in badminton", died from wounds sustained in an alleged Coalition strike on Qasir al banat, June 12th. His wife and two daughters also died. (via Sharqiya Voice)

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Open incident
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For June 11th-12th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 23 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units; destroyed 16 fighting positions, two vehicles, and two ISIS boats; damaged five ISIS supply routes; and suppressed an ISIS tactical unit.” It additionally reported that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, six strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed three fighting positions and suppressed a sniper team.” And that “On June 11, near Raqqah, Syria, two strikes destroyed two fighting positions.”

For June 12th-13th, the Coalition reported: “Near Raqqah, 22 strikes engaged 20 ISIS tactical units and destroyed 21 fighting positions and four vehicles.” It additionally reported that “On June 12, near Raqqah, Syria, nine strikes engaged six ISIS tactical units and destroyed seven fighting positions, an IED factory, an ISIS staging area, an ammo cache, and a command and control node.”

French Military
  • English
    /
    Original

On the 15/6-17, the French MoD reported: "In the past week, France reports his 31 sorties, 28 of which were Armed Reconnaissance or Ground Support (CAS) and 3 were intelligence gathering. Two strikes were conducted by French planes in Iraq and Syria, one in the west of Raqqah city, and the other in the Al Qaim region, both against ISIL fighters. Task Force Wagram carried out 80 artillery strikes in Mosul."

Cette semaine, les aéronefs de l’opération Chammal ont réalisé 31 sorties aériennes dont 28 de reconnaissance armée ou d’appui au sol (CAS) et 3 de recueil de renseignements. 2 frappes ont été conduites par les avions français en Irak et en Syrie, l’une à l’Ouest de la ville de Raqqah, et l’autre dans la région d’Al Qaim, toutes deux contre des combattants de Daech.’

Syrian Democratic Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Syrian Democratic Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Democratic Forces

Sources (13) [ collapse]